# Absolutness of $\Pi_1^1$ statements

Shoenfield absoluteness is well known for $\Pi_2^1$-statements, but it does not hold between a countable transitive model of ZFC and the universe. But it is also known that $\Pi_1^1$ statements are absolute between a countable transitive model of set theory and the universe.

My question is:

Where can I find a good reference for the last fact?

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In case it makes easier for you to find: The fact you are looking for, I believe, is credited to Mostowski (so you can search for: Mostowski's absoluteness). – Burak May 10 '14 at 17:18
@Burak: Many thanks. – user38200 May 10 '14 at 17:33

This is an immediate consequence of the fact that every $\Pi^1_1$ statement is equivalent to the assertion that a certain relation is well-founded, and well-foundedness is absolute between transitive models. If a larger model thinks a relation is well-founded, then the smaller model must agree since it can have no infinite descending sequence. If a smaller model thinks a relation is well-founded, then it will have an ordinal ranking function, which will witness well-foundedness in the larger model.